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We would like to visit the Algarve in southern Portugal, mid-March -- me, my husband + our son who is a recent college grad. Is this off-season still? Any beach hotel suggestions (we have Marriott points)? Also, we would be taking the train from Lisbon and staying only for a 2 day weekend. Appreciate any suggestions of how to make this a fun visit - if it is a good time to go!
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The weather should be pleasent in mid-March, but not really beach weather.
The Vila Sol Algarve is a Marriott hotel.
Would it be worth seeing then - or on a 3 day visit to Portugal - would you concentrate in Porto, Lisbon + ?
Appreciate perspective on travel time vs. what we can see/do!
Hi; I think staying in Lisbon will work best. Weather should be OK. We were there in February and it was in the low 60's. From Lisbon, you could train to Sintra or Evora. Richard http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/evora or http:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/sintra http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/lisbon
Hi jetsetj
The Marriott in Lisbon is obviously not a beach hotel, but I stay there regularly and it's fine. It would not be my first choice as far as a good tourist location goes, but it's a short walk to two different metro lines, so you can get around very easily. and I guess the price is right!
The last time I was there I met two women who were also taking a points vacation, and they had really enjoyed a Marriott resort on the coast north of Lisbon and close to the walled town of Obidos, which in mid-March will not be as overrun by tourists as it usually is. That location would give you a good base for visiting the coastal area (Peniche and Ericeira are nice), the towns of Alcobaca (beautiful gothic monastery), Batalha (ditto), Nazare, Tomar, the castle at Almourol if it catches your fancy.
March is one of those months that can bring just about any kind of weather. Laurie
Beachies; Ireynolds just woke me up. We stayed at a Marriott in Obidos last April. I booked two rooms for two nights [with points] and had an upgraded 'ocean front' room. My daughter and son-in-law had an 'ocean front room', but not as large as ours. It is a few miles outside of the walled city. Obidos is perhaps a bit less than one hour [north] from the Lisbon airport. You do need a car. Ireynolds mentioned many other places to visit in the area. Weather is unpredictable, but we had lovely walks along the ocean. Richard www.praia-del-rey.com/
March is a good time to go to the Algarve (no crowds and plenty of sunshine although the water will not be particularly warm!) and the train journey from Lisbon is relatively cheap and comfortable.
I would recommend departing from Gare do Oriente in Lisbon after doing some sightseeing at Parque das Nações. You and your son will like this!
Head for Portimão (you’ll need to change @ Tunes) and make your way to the seafront: Praia da Rocha (5 euro taxi ride). I would recommend the Oriental at Praia da Rocha but you might consider others such as the Tivoli Arade or the more well know Algarve Casino Hotel.
Praia da Rocha was one of the first beach resort in Portugal ( Portugal’s Biarritz) and Portimão has become a stopping point fro cruise ships. Plenty to see and do!
If required let me know if you need links to the respective hotels. Have a good time!
Wow! So much great info! Any links to hotels in Algarve are appreciated. I think we'll be train-ing it, so will probably go south to Algarve from Lisbon. Is Portimao walkable?
Muita obrigada!!
Here are links to some stylish hotels @ Praia da Rocha:
Tivoli Arade Hotel: http://www.tivolihotels.com/hotels-portugal/destination/algarve/hotel_arade_portimao/list.aspx
Hotel Oriental: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g652081-d289044-Reviews-Hotel_Oriental-Praia_da_Rocha_Algarve.html
Hotel Algarve Casino: http://www.algarvecasinohotel.com/
Portimão is flat and very walkable. Let me know if you would like suggestions of what to see and do in Portimão!